Alexandre Pato: I want to play soon

New Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato arrived in São Paulo on Thursday in good spirits, saying ‘I want to play soon'.

Pato, 23, has suffered with a number of injuries in the past 18 months but arrived from Milan ready to complete his medical with Corinthians and be unveiled to the media on Friday.

“I'm fine, I was training, some days I only stopped to rest, but I want to play well and pretty soon,” he told Globo Esporte.

“I've been eager to win and help Corinthians and cannot wait to start work. I want to continue what I've been planning for my career, happy to be back to a championship team in the world.

“I will do everything to please the fans.”

The deal to sign Pato was concluded between Milan and Corinthians just over a week ago and will see the Club World Cup winners pay €15 million for 60% of the player’s economic rights.

The striker becomes the second high profile the Timão have made this year after completing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen winger Renato Augusto. Now they are looking to strengthen defensively, with defender Gil expected to arrive from French club Valenciennes and Corinthians also continue to assess the possibility of bringing Vasco da Gama centre-back Déde to the club.